"Nathaniel, why are you so hot?" Laura gasped, feeling the heat radiating from his skin.
Her cheeks flushed crimson as she leaned in closer, her delicate arms sliding around his neck. In a breathy, almost coaxing tone, she whispered, "Nathaniel, I know what you want."
He was still injured, and yet here she was, lying beside him, pressing herself into his world.
Nathaniel turned his head, his dark eyes locking on Laura.
She looked radiant, her beauty in full bloom—like a peach at the height of spring. In the capital, she had always been admired for her stunning looks.
But Laura and Celia were worlds apart. Celia was like a distant star, untouchable and ethereal, while Laura was undeniably seductive and dazzling.
Nathaniel knew well what his father had been—a man obsessed with collecting treasures, especially anything that reminded him of Xia Si. By all logic, after Laura had betrayed him, Nathaniel should have turned to a woman of a similar type. Yet when he met Celia—so different from Laura in every way—he had fallen hard.
Why?
As his gaze lingered on her, Laura bit her lip. Taking his silence as encouragement, she boldly leaned forward, trying to press him down against the mattress.
But Nathaniel's hand was firm. He pushed her away and rose from the bed. His tall frame was taut with restrained heat, muscles rippling beneath his skin. His narrow waist, sharply defined abs, and the cool restraint of the black leather belt around his hips made him impossibly striking.
Laura's heart clenched with regret. Why had she ever left him? Maybe it was because he had never spoken sweet words or played the charming flirt. The other man had teased her daily, showering her with attention, and for a time, it had made her feel alive.
But when Nathaniel returned to the capital, his cold, noble presence had shaken her to her core. Compared to him, the other man seemed utterly insignificant.
And yet—Nathaniel had rejected her again and again. Even now, he was pushing her away.
Laura refused to give up. She slipped off the bed and blocked his path. When she saw him reaching for his phone, she darted forward and snatched it from his hand.
His brows drew together. "Laura, give it back."
She smirked, stepping back playfully. "You want it? Then come get it."
She turned to flee, but Nathaniel's strong hand shot out, catching her slender arm with ease. "Still causing trouble?"
Laura only lifted her chin, raising the phone higher as if daring him. "Yes—I am!"
With a sharp flick of his wrist, Nathaniel broke her grip. She stumbled back, her shoulder hitting the wall with a soft thud.
Pah.
He planted his palm against the wall beside her head, caging her in with his tall frame.
Leaning down, his face inches from hers, his voice dropped into a husky growl. "Is this what you wanted? Hand it over."
Laura's knees weakened. It was the first time he had spoken to her this way, raw and domineering. He had always treated her gently, like a brother might treat a younger sister. She had hated that.
This—this was what she wanted.
She tipped her chin up, eyes glittering with challenge. "Yes. I wanted this. Now… make it worth it."
Nathaniel felt the fire surge in his veins. Holding her captive between his body and the wall, his gaze darkened.
And then—he kissed her.
He kissed her.
Laura's heart leapt wildly. Her eyes fluttered shut as she melted into the heat of his lips…